James Michael Watkins
Captain, U.S. Army

On 8 December 1944, Captain James Michael Watkins was serving as Company Commander, Company F, 2nd Battalion, 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, Ninth U.S. Army.

On that date, CPT Watkins, after taking Sarreguemines, France, led his Company F in an assault crossing of the Saar River, up the steep bank of the opposite shore, over enemy trenches, and through wire entanglements to the far crest of the ridges. From that vantage point, CPT Watkins planned to attack the German flank. As the forward elements began scaling the ridge, a group of the enemy attacked in a half-track vehicle. Realizing the danger to troops still crossing the river if the enemy vehicle reached a position overlooking the river, CPT Watkins and 3 enlisted men remained in position in a shallow trench. From this position, CPT Watkins directed artillery fire on the vehicle as it moved forward. Under the cover of machine gun fire, 5 German soldiers dismounted and attacked the small group. CPT Watkins killed the enemy leader, an officer, while his men killed the other 4 Germans. Although the enemy half-track reached a point only 25 yards away, it was demolished by a direct hit from an artillery burst. CPT Watkins continued to adjust the artillery fire throughout the action. CPT Watkins' aggressive leadership and his absolute determination to successfully complete his mission earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

On 5 March 1945, CPT Watkins’ Company F was in action against German forces during the Siegfried Line Campaign. CPT Watkins’ outstanding leadership, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism on 5 March earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Pin and 4 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) James M. Watkins (ASN: 0-359346), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 320th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 5 March 1945. Captain Watkins' outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 35th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 143 (1945)

Burial

Captain James Michael Watkins is buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands, in Plot L, Row 3, Grave 19.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56305010/james-michael-watkins